Waziristan refugee families in Paktika seek assistance

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Thousands of displaced families from the North and South Waziristan tribal region of Pakistan in southeastern Paktika province demand assistance.

Abdul Hakim, on behalf of the refugees, told Pajhwok Afghan News that thousands of families had been displaced to Afghanistan as a result of various problems in their own areas.

He said the displaced families received aid upon fresh arriving in Paktika but then they were ignored.

The displaced people have been settled in Barmal, Gomal, Sarobi, Sharana and some other areas of the province.

Hakim said they urgently needed food items and health services. Abdullah Khan, another displaced person, said their problems increased in winter.

“Our children have fallen ill due to harsh weather, we have no food, that’s why we need urgent assistance.”

Some other refugees expressed similar views and urged the Afghan government to meet their needs.

National Youth Council member Abdul Haq Faqiri said the government should assist the displaced families whose condition was deteriorating and their children were ill.

Mohammad Rahman Iyaz, the governor’s spokesman, said about 8,000 families were displaced from Waziristan to Paktika during the past few years.

He informed the provincial Refugees and Repatriation Department and the Natural Disaster Management Authority were ready to assist the displaced families in winter and they would receive assistance regularly under a new plan.

Thousands of families had been displaced as a result of the Pakistani forces operations against militants in the North and South Waziristan.